Tata Motors has been focussing on improving quality levels on its Bolt hatchback. The company has initiated a new process of putting the parts supplied by component makers through a quality check, before they are allowed on the assembly line. Tata Motors held a five-day event for all component suppliers for the Zest and the Bolt. Around 300 auto component manufacturers arrived with over 600 different parts. Each part was fitted and checked for any niggles that could create an issue in the final-production model.
Before the Zest and the Bolt were signed off as 'production ready', they were subjected to a special 'jury drive'. The jury comprised around 10-15 senior officials from Tata Motors including Dr Leverton, the chief engineer of the project. While speaking to our sister publication, Autocar Professional, Dr Leverton said ,"The Bolt has benefitted from what we have learnt from the Zest. I think we have taken another step.” Apart from sporting smart styling, the Tata Bolt hatchback gets a blacked-out C-pillar which gives it a 'floating roof' look and a rear spoiler that enhances its sporty appeal. The top Bolt variant will come equipped with an impressive list of features that'll include smoked projector headlamps and a touchscreen infotainment system, like the Zest.
Additionally, the Bolt gets new features such as video playback through a USB and smartphone-based navigation. "This navigation system gets downloaded onto your smartphone and then it runs through that but doesn’t use the network. So you can actually use the navigation free of cost," said Girish Wagh, senior VP, program planning and project management, Tata Motors. Since the announcement of its 'HorizonNext strategy' in 2013, the Zest was the first new product launched by Tata Motors and it is already among the top three in its segment. The company says that it would have occupied the number two slot if didn't suffer from supply constraints. Owing to the success of the Zest, Tata Motors has registered a 16 percent growth in the passenger car market after a lean patch that lasted for eight months.
With the manufacturer's learnings from the Zest incorporated into the Bolt, the new hatchback appears set to compete in the most competitive segment in our market.
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